2008 Paralympic Games

Day 4 - Sept. 10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2008

BEIJING, China - USA strolled to a victory against Latvia (25-12, 25-17, 25-11) in their last preliminary match in the Women's Sitting Volleyball at the China Agriculture University Gymnasium. The team was led by Team Captain Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.), along with other starters Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz./Edmond, Okla.), Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./Edmond, Okla.), Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.). Kari Miller (Washington, D.C./Edmond, Okla.) served as Libero.

Aldrich led in scoring with 14 points including six kills, four blocks and four aces. Erickson chipped in with nine points and Gina McWilliams (Dallas, Tex.) contributed seven. All team members saw playing time in the match as well.

"I thought the team came together really well and we all got to play," said Aldrich. "I was really mentally focused and had my goals in mind every time I hit the ball."

USA (2-1) finished second in Pool B and will meet the Netherlands (3-0) in the semifinals at 10:00 on Friday.

USA hosted the Netherlands in Chicago in March and played them again in April at the Intercontinental Cup in Egypt. "As a team, we know the Netherlands well," said Head Coach Mike Hulett (Chicago, Ill.). "We have a slight advantage because they had to send one of their starters home due to illness. But of course, we still have to elevate our game."

The complete roster and schedule is listed below.

U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Olympic Roster

#          Name (Hometown, Current Residence)

11        Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.)

6          Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.)

18        Alex Gouldie (St. Paul, Neb.)

5          Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./Edmond, Okla.)

7          SuGui Kriss (Ravena, N.Y.)

15        Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.)

8          Hope Lewellen (Palos Park, Ill.)

3          Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.)

9          Gina McWilliams (Dallas, Tex.)

13        Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./Edmond, Okla.)

10        Kari Miller (Washington, D.C./Edmond, Okla.)

1          Lora Webster (Cave Creek Ariz./Edmond, Okla.)

Head Coach: Mike Hulett (Chicago, Ill.)

Assistant Coach: Denise Van deWalle (Bowling Green, Ohio)

Team Leader: Roger Neppl (Evergreen, Colo.)

Women's 2008 Paralympic Games Sitting Volleyball Schedule

Date; Time; Teams; Venue

September 7, 2008; 9:30; USA def. Lithuania, 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-9)

September 9, 2008; 17:30; China def. USA, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-19)

September 10, 2008; 13:30; USA def. Latvia, 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-11)

September 12, 2008; 10:00; USA (2-1) vs. Netherlands (3-0), China Agriculture University

September 14; 16:00; Bronze Medal Match, China Agriculture University

                        18:00; Gold Medal Match, China Agriculture University

For more information or to arrange an athlete interview, please contact Katrina Shaklee at 13910754730 (if calling from the U.S., dial 011 86 plus the local number).

Daily video highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Games are available at http://www.usparalympics.org/ and http://www.universalsports.com/.

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